KG leader of defense

Friday

He was standing near center court holding the NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy while receiving a standing ovation.

All of a sudden, Kevin Garnett turned to the Boston Celtics’ bench where his teammates were watching the pregame ceremony Wednesday night and motioned for them to join him.

Garnett wanted every single one of them to take a bow after he received the trophy prior to Game 2 of the Celtics’ playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks.

It was a fitting gesture, because while Garnett is unquestionably the leader of the Celtics’ stingy defense, it has been a team collaboration that has resulted in opponents consistently being shut down since November.

“It is good I got to bring my teammates out to show that it is not just one person, but it is all of us that make up this award,” said Garnett, a landslide winner of the honor.

Garnett makes it all work with his presence inside, communication and his ability to defend the pick-and-roll play, but the Celtics have been playing incredible team defense all season.

They allowed a franchise-low 90.3 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting, and only 16 teams cracked 100 points on them during the regular season.

There has been no letup in the playoffs with the Hawks managing just 81 and 77 points, shooting 38 percent in both losses to fall into a 2-0 hole.

Defense is one of the leading reasons why the Celtics went 66-16, and it is the main reason why they head to Atlanta for Game 3 Saturday night in full control of the opening-round series.

“We’ve kept our defense right and that is the thing that is going to win,” said center Kendrick Perkins. “Defense wins championships.”

The Hawks were an improved offensive team in the second half of the season, especially after acquiring veteran point guard Mike Bibby in February.

They averaged 102 points in the last 32 games and had six players average in double figures this season.

Against the Celtics’ smothering defense, though, the Hawks have been well below average. In three regular-season matchups, they were limited to 83, 88 and 89 points.

Joe Johnson is averaging just 15 points on 34 percent shooting in the series while Bibby is being outplayed by Rajon Rondo. He is averaging 8.5 points, making just 4-of-17 shots, and has a mere two assists.

Four of the Hawks starters — Bibby, Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams — have made just 25-of-88 shots.

“We all have assignments and they are multiple assignments, and if you miss it, that’s your (butt),” said Garnett. “We’re very locked in to what we have to do. You have to carry it out, be in your spot when you’re supposed to be. So far so good.

“In practice, we do this so repetitive. You’ve got to know where you are supposed to be. We’re a defensive team. We’re a team that can obviously score points, but our identity is to be a defensive team and that’s what you see.”

It’s been that way since they gathered in Rome for the start of training camp last fall with Garnett leading the charge.

His ability to direct a defense has allowed Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Perkins and Rondo to develop their games at that end of the floor.

“We’ve been grinding everything all year,” said Allen. “Kevin has been the anchor of our defense and we know that we’ve all had to sacrifice starting back in September in Rome.

“To be able to put a great product on the floor, we had to be defensive-minded, and that starts with Kevin and he makes sure everybody’s in the right position.

“I send my guy right to him, let him clean everything up. Big Baby (Glen Davis) has played better because Kevin’s down there, Leon (Powe) has had a great year because of Kevin and definitely Perk has had a great year because of Kevin. All of us have gotten better.”

Rondo, with his quickness bothering Bibby, starts the defense with pressure in the backcourt, and then the Hawks have to hurry into their offense rather than running.

“He’s playing terrific,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “He’s pressuring the ball as well as he’s done all year. That’s been very important.

“There have been times when they’ve come out of timeouts and literally can’t get into their stuff because of one person’s pressure on the ball. His quickness is a factor when he used it as one. So far in two games, it’s been a factor.”

Once the Hawks do set up in the half-court offense, Garnett is roaming around, jumping out on pick and rolls and making their shots difficult.

“We’re not trying to give any easy baskets,” said Garnett. “This team is athletic. We talk about every practice day and every film day. We have to cut these easy baskets down.

“We have a no layup policy. We’re not trying to hurt anybody, but we’re really trying to defend the paint in these playoffs. In order to be effective, we have to do that.”

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